Page 37 of The Devil's Mercy

The first time Troya had visited Cal’s room, he’d complained. He’d pointed out all these things that he supposedly didn’t have in his own room, most of them basics like beer in the fridge, or full bottles of quality shampoo. Extra throw pillows for the couch that were softer than the ones the Inspector had…

“You…were watching me?” All of those things had been there since the moment Calix had entered, which meant Titus had known before his arrival what room he’d be assigned. “I arrived before the reunion.”

Even if Titus had known Aodhan planned to make a move against Cal, there was no way either of them could have known exactly when he’d be there…

Or for what purpose…

“You can stop thinking about that,” Titus told him. “You aren’t ready to travel down that road.”

“What road am I thinking about?” Cal asked it, but he didn’t want him to answer. Because the other man was right. He ran a hand through his hair, grimacing at how oily and gross it felt.

“Let’s just keep talking about the cameras, shall we? Aren’t you curious? About why I was watching you?”

“Because you want to make me your Third.” He paused as soon as he said it.

Titus smiled at him approvingly. “Don’t be embarrassed. You’re not being full of yourself. We really do intend to take you as our Third. I’m glad you’re starting to come to terms with it.”

“Like hell,” Calix growled, but the older man merely tutted at him and then motioned to the tub, which was now full.

“You should bathe. Take your time. I’ll be in the bedroom waiting.”

“Listening,” he corrected, knowing exactly what Titus meant to be doing.

“You’re tired. There’s a good chance you’ll pass out. I’ll listen just in case, but I won’t enter unless you’re unresponsive. Agreed?”

He shifted on his feet. “Why? Why are you suddenly making deals?”

This would have been the perfect opportunity. If he wanted, Titus could have him in the tub on all fours, fucking and cleaning him off at the same time. At the very least, he could insist on sticking around to watch, since that seemed to be one of his pastimes anyway.

Calix’s gaze flicked up to the corners of the room. “Are there cameras here?”

“No, Be’urn. There are no cameras in this house.”

“What does that word mean?”

“It’s Vital,” Mercy explained. “Aodhan says it’s a term of endearment or a respectable way to call a male who’s younger than you. But only when you’re close. Since I’m older, the equivalent would be Be’tessie, in case you were wondering.”

“I wasn’t.” Setting aside the fact Cal was from Emergence and not Vitality like Aodhan, where they had their own titles and terms, he didn’t like how intimate and familiar it sounded. “Don’t call me that.”

“You don’t like when I call you little monster, and now you’re opposed to this as well?” the director said. “What should I call you then?”

“Don’t call me anything at all.” He straightened from the counter, but had to keep a hand on the smooth surface to prevent himself from wobbling on his feet. “I refuse to be your Third, Titus. That isn’t what I want.”

“You want somewhere to start fresh,” he moved closer as he spoke. “A place where you can safely be yourself, with people who won’t judge you for who you are. People who can helpyoustop judging you for who you are.”

Cal froze when the older man reached out to cup his cheek, unable to pull away from the warm touch.

“We can give you that,” he promised. “Be my little monster, Calix. It’s who you want to be. It’s who you already are. Be that, and in return, I’ll be your everything. I’ll make it all right. The same way I did eight years ago.”

Was he so obviously lonely, or had Titus just gotten lucky? No, probably not. He got the feeling the director wasn’t the type to take chances. Maybe he’d seen something in Cal when he’d spied on him in his hotel. Maybe he’d seen it in the past. It didn’t matter. What mattered was whether or not Calix was willing to compromise himself for peace of mind.

If he agreed to be their Third, what then? He sits alone in this big house day after day while the two of them go off to work at the hospital? What if he didn’t even like them? What if, once the smoke cleared, they had a few conversations and he realized they were incompatible and he was well and truly trapped?

“I’m going to refuse again.” It was the right choice. The only choice, and yet…That was all he managed to say.

Titus released him and stepped back, but he didn’t seem angry. “The water is getting cold. Take your bath, Calix. I’ll be close. Remember, if I call you, you have to respond, or I’ll come back in.”

“Whatever.” Cal looked away.

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